Preparing for the Next Flood: Protecting Women’s Health in Bangladesh

Sunamganj, a district in northeast Bangladesh, is deeply affected by climate change, with sudden floods disrupting life and cutting access to services. Over 670,000 women of reproductive age in the region face challenges in accessing reproductive health care due to extreme weather. To prepare for these crises, UNFPA trains women to protect themselves and their children during floods. Shakila Akhter, a mother, benefited from such training, using newfound knowledge like family planning tools. She links climate change to increased flood frequency and severity, emphasizing the need for preparedness.

Local volunteers, like Shakila Begum, assist in training for climate resilience, working with the UNFPA-supported health system. Begum supports 75 families with health issues, recalling helping a woman with high blood pressure get to a hospital for safe childbirth. The initiative also provides safe spaces for women to learn about reproductive health. In Kurban Nagarn, street dramas educate over 500 participants on maternal health and disaster preparedness. Taskira Hauque Tazin, a student involved in these performances, is recognized for her contributions to women’s empowerment and community support.

Street dramas offer a platform for discussing difficult topics, says Anima Akhter, a mother who safely delivered her child in a hospital with volunteer support. Her husband, Nurul, now a community role model, encourages others to prepare for disasters and seek help for health issues. Despite progress, challenges remain, with many deliveries still happening at home and discussions on sensitive topics like menstruation being inhibited by cultural norms. Climate-related disasters only intensify these challenges for women and girls.

From July 28 to 31, global experts met at the World Symposium on Climate Justice in Brasília, co-organized by UNFPA and Brazil, addressing the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and girls. The event advocated for inclusive negotiations and understanding of climate change’s effects on health and reproductive rights. Diene Keita from UNFPA highlighted the increased risks climate change poses to maternal health and gender-based violence, stressing the need for resilience and adaptation in health systems to combat climatic shocks.